M-aminophenol derivatives and coloring agents containing them

ABSTRACT

The object of the present patent application are 3-aminophenol derivatives of formula (I) or the physiologically tolerated, water-soluble salts thereof 
                         
wherein R denotes a heterocyclic aromatic 5-membered ring of formula (Ia)
 
                         
and colorants based on a developer-coupler combination and containing these compounds.

The present invention relates to novel 3-aminophenol derivatives substituted in the 6-position and to agents for dyeing keratin fibers, particularly human hair, and containing these compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oxidation dyes have attained substantial importance in the field of keratin fiber dyeing and particularly hair dyeing. The color is generated by reaction of certain developers with certain couplers in the presence of an appropriate oxidant. The developers used for this purpose are, in particular, 2,5-diaminotoluene, 2,5-diaminophenylethyl alcohol, p-aminophenol, 1,4-diaminobenzene and 4,5-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrazole, whereas suitable couplers are, for example, resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 1-naphthol, 3-aminophenol, m-phenylenediamine, 2-amino-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl)aminoanisole, 1,3-diamino-4-(2′-hydroxyethoxy)benzene and 2,4-diamino-5-fluorotoluene

In addition to being able to produce colors of the desired intensity, oxidation dyes used for dyeing human hair must meet many other requirements. For example, such dyes must be unobjectionable from a toxicological and dermatological standpoint, and the hair colorations obtained must be highly resistant to light, permanent waving, acids and rubbing. In any case, however, they must remain stable for a period of at least 4 to 6 weeks without the influence of light, rubbing and chemical agents. Moreover, it must be possible, by a combination of suitable developers and couplers, to produce a wide range of different color shades.

Although many couplers are already known, with the currently known colorants it is not possible to meet the requirements placed on a colorant in every respect. Hence, a need continues to exist for novel couplers that will meet the aforesaid requirements to an especially high degree.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have now found that certain 3-aminophenol derivatives of general formula (I) meet the requirements placed on couplers to an especially high degree and with most known developers give intense and unusually light-fast and wash-fast color shades.

Hence, the object of the present invention are novel 3-aminophenol derivatives of formula (I) or the physiologically compatible, water-soluble salts thereof,

wherein R denotes an aromatic, heterocyclic 5-membered ring of formula (Ia)

-   and X1, X2, X3 and X4 independently of each other denote sulfur,     nitrogen, N-R1, oxygen, C-R2, C-R3, C-R4 or C-R5, provided that at     least one and at the most three of the X1 to X4 groups denote     nitrogen, N-R1, sulfur or oxygen and if there are several     heteroatoms, at the most one of the X1 to X4 groups denotes sulfur,     N-R1 or oxygen; -   R1 denotes hydrogen, a (C₁–C₆)-alkyl group, a phenyl group, a     (C₂–C₄)-hydroxyalkyl group or an acetyl group; -   R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently of each other denote hydrogen, a     halogen atom (F, Cl, Br, I), a cyano group, a (C₁–C₆)-alkyl group, a     (C₁–C₄)-alkoxy group, a (C₁–C₄)-alkyl thioether group, a mercapto     group, a nitro group, an amino group a (C₁–C₄)-alkylamino group, a     di(C₁–C₄)-alkylamino group, a hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkylamino group, a     di[hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkyl]amino group, a     [dihydroxy-(C₃–C₄)-alkyl]amino group, a trifluoromethyl group, a     —C(O)CH₃ group, a C(O)CF₃ group, a —C(O)H group, a —Si(CH₃)₃ group,     a (C₁–C₄)-hydroxyalkyl group or a (C₂–C₄)-dihydroxyalkyl group.

Compounds of formula (I) are, for example,

-   5-amino-2-(3-thienyl)phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-furyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(pyrrol-3-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(1,3-thiazol-5-yl)phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-furyl)phenol, 5-amino-2-(pyrrol-2-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-chloro-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-methyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-nitro-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-amino-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-acetyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-formyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-chloro-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-methyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-nitro-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-amino-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-acetyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-formyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-chloro-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-methyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-nitro-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-acetyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-amino-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-formyl-3-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-formyl-3-furyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3-chloro-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3-methyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3-nitro-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3-amino-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3-acetyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3-formyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-chloro-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-methyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-nitro-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-amino-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-acetyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(4-formyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-nitro-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-amino-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-acetyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-formyl-2-thienyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-formyl-2-furyl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-nitro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(5-amino-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-nitro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)phenol,     5-amino-2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-phenol -   and 5-amino-2-(5-nitro-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)phenol, as well as the     physiologically compatible, water-soluble salts thereof.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein:

-   (i) X2 denotes sulfur and X1, X3 and X4 denote C-R2, C-R4 and C-R5     or (ii) X1 denotes sulfur and X2, X3 and X4 denote C-R3, C-R4 and     CR5.

Particularly preferred are the following compounds of formula (I):

-   5-amino-2-(3-thienyl)phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-chloro-3-thienyl)phenol     and 5-amino-2-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)phenol as well as the     physiologically compatible, water-soluble salts thereof.

The compounds of formula (I) can be used as the free bases as well as in the form of their physiologically compatible salts of inorganic or organic acids, for example hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid or citric acid.

The aminophenol derivatives of formula (I) of the invention can be prepared by methods of synthesis known from the literature, for example

-   a) by tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)-catalyzed coupling of     a suitable substituted 3-aminophenolboric acid derivative of formula     (IIa) with a halogen-substituted aromatic compound of formula (IIIa)     followed by removal of the protective group needed for the coupling     reaction

or

-   b) by tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)-catalyzed coupling of     a halogen-substituted 3-aminophenol of formula (IIb) with a boric     acid derivative of formula (IIIb) followed by removal of the     protective group needed for the coupling reaction,

the other groups in formulas (II), (IIb), (IIIa) and (IIIb) having the following meaning:

-   Ra denotes a protective group as described, for example, in the     chapter on “Protective Groups” in Organic Synthesis, chapter 3,     Wiley Interscience, 1991; -   Rb and Rc independently of each other denote a protective group as     described, for example, in the chapter on “Protective Groups” in     Organic Synthesis, chapter 7, Wiley Interscience, 1991, or hydrogen; -   Rd denotes hydrogen or the two Rd groups together with the —O—B—O—     group form an unsubstituted or substituted five-membered or     six-membered cycloaliphatic ring; -   Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I; and -   X₁, X₂, X₃ and X₄ have the same meaning as in formula (I).

The 3-aminophenol derivatives of formula (I) are readily water-soluble and give colorations of excellent color intensity and color stability, particularly in terms of light fastness, wash fastness and rubbing fastness. Moreover, they have excellent storage stability particularly as constituents of the oxidative colorants described in the following.

Another object of the present invention is therefore an agent for coloring keratin fibers, for example wool, furs, feathers or hair and particularly human hair, said agent being based on a developer-coupler combination and being characterized in that it contains at least one 3-aminophenol derivative of formula (I) or a physiologically compatible, water-soluble salt thereof.

The 3-aminophenol derivatives of formula (I) are present in the colorant of the invention in a total amount from about 0.005 to 20 weight percent, an amount from about 0.01 to 5 weight percent and particularly from 0.1 to 2.5 weight percent being preferred.

Preferred developers are 1,4-diaminobenzene (p-phenylenediamine), 1,4-diamino-2-methylbenzene (p-toluylenediamine), 1,4-diamino-2,6-dimethylbenzene, 1,4-diamino-3,5-diethylbenzene, 1,4-diamino-2,5-dimethylbenzene, 1,4-diamino-2,3-dimethylbenzene, 2-chloro-1,4-diaminobenzene, 1,4-diamino-2-(thiophen-2-yl)benzene, 1,4-diamino-2-(thiophen-3-yl)benzene, 1,4-diamino-2-(pyridin-3-yl)benzene, 2,5-diaminobiphenyl, 1,4-diamino-2-methoxymethylbenzene, 1,4-diamino-2-amino-methylbenzene, 1,4-diamino-2-hydroxymethylbenzene, 1,4-diamino-2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, 2-[2-(acetylamino)ethoxy]-1,4-diaminobenzene, 4-phenylaminoaniline, 4-dimethylaminoaniline, 4-diethylaminoaniline, 4-dipropylaminoaniline, 4-[ethyl-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline, 4-[di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline, 4-[di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylaniline, 4-[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]aniline, 4-[(3-hydroxypropyl)amino]aniline, 4-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)amino]aniline, 1,4-diamino-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzene, 1,4-diamino-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzene, 1,4-diamino-2-(1-methylethyl)benzene, 1,3-bis-[(4-aminophenyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-propanol, 1,4-bis-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]butane, 1,8-bis-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane, 4-aminophenol, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, 4-amino-3-(hydroxymethyl)phenol, 4-amino-3-fluorophenol, 4-methylaminophenol, 4-amino-2-(aminomethyl)phenol, 4-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol, 4-amino-2-fluorophenol, 4-amino-2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]methylphenol, 4-amino-2-methylphenol, 4-amino-2-(methoxymethyl)phenol, 4-amino-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenol, 5-aminosalicylic acid, 2,5-diaminopyridine, 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine, 2,5,6-triamino-4-(1H)-pyrimidone, 4,5-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-(1-methylethyl)-1H-pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1H-pyrazole, 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 2-aminophenol, 2-amino-6-methylphenol, 2-amino-5-methylphenol and 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene.

Moreover, besides the compounds of formula (I) the colorant of the invention can also contain other known couplers, for example N-(3-dimethylaminophenyl)urea, 2,6-diaminopyridine, 2-amino-4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]anisole, 2,4-diamino-1-fluoro-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-methoxy-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-ethoxy-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-di[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1,5-dimethoxybenzene, 2,3-diamino-6-methoxy-pyridine, 3-amino-6-methoxy-2-(methylamino)pyridine, 2,6-diamino-3,5-dimethoxypyridine, 3,5-diamino-2,6-dimethoxypyridine, 1,3-diaminobenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-(3-hydroxypropoxy)benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzene, 2,4-diamino-1,5-di(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, 1-(2-aminoethoxy)-2,4-diaminobenzene, 2-amino-1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-4-methylaminobenzene, 2,4-diaminophenoxyacetic acid, 3-[di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline, 4-amino-2-di[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1-ethoxybenzene, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)phenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline, 3-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]aniline, 1,3-di(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane, di(2,4-diaminophenoxy)methane, 1,3-diamino-2,4-dimethoxybenzene, 2,6-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminotoluene, 4-hydroxyindole, 3-dimethylaminophenol, 3-diethylaminophenol, 5-amino-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-fluoro-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-ethoxy-2-methylphenol, 3-amino-2,4-dichlorophenol, 5-amino-2,4-dichlorophenol, 3-amino-2-methylphenol, 3-amino-2-chloro-6-methylphenol, 3-aminophenol, 2-[(3-hydroxyphenyl)amino]acetamide, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-phenol, 3-[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]phenol, 5-amino-2-ethylphenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol, 2-(4-amino-2-hydroxyphenoxy)ethanol, 5-[(3-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylpyridine, 5-amino-4-chloro-2-methylphenol, 1-naphthol, 2-methyl-1-naphthol, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2-methyl-1-naphthol acetate, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene, 1-chloro-2,4-dihydroxybenzene, 2-chloro-1,3-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2-dichloro-3,5-dihydroxy4-methylbenzene, 1,5-dichloro-2,4-dihydroxybenzene, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, 3,4-methylenedioxyaniline, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1,3-benzodioxole, 6-bromo-1-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene, 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazine, 6-amino-3,4-dihydro-1,4(2H)benzoxazine, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone, 5,6-dihydroxyindole, 5,6-dihydroxyindoline, 5-hydroxyindole, 6-hydroxyindole, 7-hydroxyindole and 2,3-indolinedione.

The couplers and developers can be contained in the colorant of the invention either individually or in admixture with each other, the total amount of couplers and developers in the colorant of the invention (based on the total amount of colorant) being from about 0.005 to 20 weight percent, preferably from about 0.01 to 5 weight percent and particularly from 0.1 to 2.5 weight percent, each.

The total amount of the developer-coupler combination contained in the colorant described herein is preferably from about 0.01 to 20 weight percent, an amount from about 0.02 to 10 weight percent and particularly from 0.2 to 6 weight percent being especially preferred. In general, the developers and couplers are used in approximately equimolar amounts. However, it is not disadvantageous if the developers are present in a certain excess or deficiency with respect to such an amount.

Moreover, the colorant of the invention can also contain other dye components, for example 6-amino-2-methylphenol and 2-amino-5-methylphenol, as well as common synthetic or natural direct dyes, for example vegetable dyes or synthetic direct dyes from the group of acid or basic dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, aromatic nitro dyes, azo dyes and disperse dyes. The colorants of the invention can contain these dye components in an amount from about 0.1 to 4 weight percent.

Naturally, the additional couplers and the developers and other dye components, provided they are bases, can also be used in the form of their physiologically compatible salts of organic or inorganic acids, for example hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or—if they contain aromatic OH— groups—in the form of salts of bases, for example as alkali metal phenoxides.

Moreover, if the colorants are used for dyeing hair, they can also contain common cosmetic additives, for example antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, thioglycolic acid or sodium sulfite, as well as perfume oils, complexing agents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, thickeners and hair-care agents.

The colorant of the invention can be formulated, for example, as a solution, particularly an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic solution. A particularly preferred formulation, however, is a cream, gel or emulsion. Such a preparation consists of a mixture of dye components and additives commonly used for such preparations.

Common additives to solutions, creams, emulsions or gels are, for example, solvents such as water, lower aliphatic alcohols, for example ethanol, propanol or isopropanol, glycerol or glycols such as 1,2-propylene glycol; moreover wetting agents or emulsifiers from the classes of anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic surface-active substances such as, for example, the fatty alcohol sulfates, ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkyltrimethyl-ammonium salts, alkylbetaines, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated nonylphenols, fatty alkanolamides and ethoxylated fatty esters, furthermore thickeners such as the higher fatty alcohols, starch, cellulose derivatives, petrolatum, paraffin oil and fatty acids; moreover hair-care agents such as cationic resins, lanolin derivatives, cholesterol, pantothenic acid and betaine. The said constituents are used in amounts commonly employed for such purposes, for example the wetting agents and emulsifiers at a concentration from about 0.5 to 30 weight percent, the thickeners in an amount from about 0.1 to 30 weight percent and the hair-care agents at a concentration from about 0.1 to 5 weight percent.

Depending on its composition, the colorant of the invention can be weakly acidic, neutral or alkaline. In particular, it has a pH from 6.5 to 11.5, the adjustment to a basic value preferably being achieved with ammonia. However, amino acids and/or organic amines, for example monoethanolamine or triethanolamine, or inorganic bases, for example sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide can also be used. For pH adjustment in the acidic range, an inorganic or organic acid, for example phosphoric acid, acetic acid, citric acid or tartaric acid, can be used.

For use in oxidative dyeing of hair, the afore-described colorant is mixed with an oxidant just before use and the resulting mixture is applied to the hair in an amount sufficient for the hair treatment, in general in an amount from about 60 to 200 grams, depending on the fullness of the hair.

Suitable oxidants for developing the hair coloration are mainly hydrogen peroxide or the compounds of addition thereof to urea, melamine, sodium borate or sodium carbonate in the form of a 3 to 12%, preferably 6%, aqueous solution. Atmospheric oxygen can also be used. If a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution is used as oxidant, the weight ratio of hair colorant to oxidant is from 5:1 to 1:2 and preferably 1:1. Larger amounts of oxidant are used primarily at higher dye concentrations in the hair colorant or when more pronounced hair bleaching is wanted at the same time. The mixture is allowed to act on the hair at 15 to 50° C. for about 10 to 45 minutes, preferably for 30 minutes, after which the hair is rinsed with water and dried. Optionally, following this rinsing the hair is washed with a shampoo and optionally post-rinsed with a weak organic acid, for example citric acid or tartaric acid. The hair is then dried.

The colorant of the invention containing a 3-aminophenol derivative of formula (I) as coupler gives colorations of excellent color stability, particularly in terms of light fastness, wash fastness and rubbing fastness. As far as the coloring properties are concerned, depending on the kind and composition of the dye components, the colorant of the invention provides a wide range of different color shades ranging from blond to brown, purple, violet, blue and black. Said shades are characterized by high color intensity. Furthermore, the very good coloring properties of the colorant of the present patent application are, in particular, characterized by the fact that this colorant also makes it possible to dye gray, chemically not previously damaged hair with good covering power and without any problems.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the subject matter of the invention more closely without limiting its scope.

EXAMPLES Examples 1 to 9 Synthesis of 3-aminophenol Derivatives of General Formula (I) (General Method of Synthesis) A. Synthesis of 3-ethoxymethoxyphenylamine

12 g (274.9 mmol) of a dispersion of sodium hydride (55% in oil) was added portionwise at 0° C. to a solution of 20.0 g (183.3 mmol) of 3-aminophenol in 450 mL of dried acetonitrile. The mixture was then allowed to agitate at 0° C. for 3 hours. A solution of 25 g (210.8 mmol) of chloromethyl ethyl ether in 30 mL of acetonitrile was added dropwise, and the mixture was allowed to agitate overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then filtered and the filter cake was washed with a small amount of acetone and the filtrate was evaporated. This gave 32.3 g of 3-ethoxymethoxyphenylamine. The resulting product was used in the next step without further purification.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ=6.89 (t, 1H, H5); 6.24 (s, 1, H2); 6.22 (d, 1H); 6.16 (d, 1H); 5.14 (s, 2H, NH₂); 5.11 (s, 2H, OCH₂); 3.75 (q, 2H, CH₂); 1.13 (t, 3H, CH₃).

B. Synthesis of tert.butyl N-(3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl)carbamate

30 g (180 mmol) of 3-ethoxymethoxyphenylamine from step A and 44.4 g (203 mmol) of ditert.butyl dicarbonate were dissolved in a mixture of 140 mL of 2N sodium hydroxide and 200 mL of dichloromethane, and the mixture was allowed to agitate for 24 hours at room temperature. The organic phase was then separated, washed to a neutral pH with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporates The resulting crude product was purified on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate (8:1).

This gave 18 g (42% of the theoretical based on the amount of the 3-aminophenol used in step A) of tert.butyl N-(3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl)carbamate as a yellow oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ=9.33 (s, 1H, NH); 7.20 (s, 1H, H2); 7.14 (t, J=8.0, 1H, H5); 7.05 (d, J=8.0, 1H, H3); 6.63 (d, J=8.0, 1H, H6); 5.17 (s, 2H, 0CH₂); 3.64 (q, J=7.1, 2H, CH₂); 1.49 (s, 9H, tert.butyl); 1.13 (t, J=7.1, 3H, CH₃). CHN Analysis (C₁₄H₂₁NO₄)

% C % H % N Calculated 62.90 7.92 5.24 Found 62.60 8.04 4.97

C. Synthesis of tert.butyl N-(4-bromo-3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl)carbamate

13.9 g (52 mmol) of tert.butyl N-(3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl)carbamate from step B and 10.2 g (57.2 mmol) of N-bromosuccinimide were dissolved under nitrogen in 400 mL of 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and the solution was allowed to agitate for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured onto 1000 mL of ice/water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered and the filtrate was evaporated. The resulting crude product was purified on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate (4:1).

This gave 14.4 g (76% of the theoretical) of tert.butyl N-(4-bromo-3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl)carbamate as an oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ=9.50 (s, 1H, NH); 7.45 (d, J=2.0, 1H, H2); 7.43 (d, J=8.6, 1H, H5); 7.04 (dd, J=2.0, J=8.6, 1H, H6); 5.24 (s, 2H, OCH₂); 3.70 (q, J=7.1, 2H, CH₂); 1.48 (s, 9H, tert.butyl); 1.16 (t, J=7.1, 3H, CH₃); CHN Analysis (C₁₄H₂₀BrNO₄)

% C % H % N Calculated 48.57 5.82 4.05 Found 47.82 5.87 3.77

D. Synthesis of tert.butyl [4-(5,5-dimethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborinan-2-yl)-3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl-]carbamate

10 g (28.8 mmol) of tert.butyl N-(4-bromo-3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl)carbamate from step C and 13 g (57.6 mmol) of 5,5,5′,5′-tetramethyl-2,2′-bi-[1,3,2-dioxaborinan] were dissolved under argon in 260 mL of dioxane. Then, 2.11 g (2.88 mmol) of [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]-dichloropalladium(II) and 8.48 g (86.4 mmol) of potassium acetate were added, and the reaction mixture was heated at 80° C. for 7 hours. The reaction mixture was then poured onto 1.6 L of ice/water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and the filtrate was evaporated. The resulting crude product was purified on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate (2:1).

This gave 5.84 g (54% of the theoretical) of tert.butyl [4-(5,5-dimethyl[1,3,2]dioxaborinan-2-yl)-3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl]carbamate.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ=9.40 (s, 1H, NH); 7.41 (d, J=8.1, 1H, H5); 7.21 (s, 1H, H2); 7.07 (d, J=8.1, 1H, H6); 5.09 (s, 2H, OCH₂); 3.69 (s, 4H, BOCH₂); 3.66 (q, J=7.1, 2H, CH₂); 1.48 (s, 9H, tert.butyl); 1.18 (t, 3H, CH₃); 0.95 (s, 6H, CH₃).

E. Synthesis of the 3-aminophenols of Formula (I)

0.23 g (0.6 mmol) of tert.butyl [4-(5,5-dimethyl[1,3,2]dioxaborinan-2-yl)-3-ethoxymethoxyphenyl]carbamate from step D and 0.78 mmol of the appropriate bromo derivative were dissolved under argon in 4 mL of 1,2-dimethoxyethane. Then, 0.07 g (0.06 mmol) of tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium and 0.8 mL of 2N potassium carbonate solution were added, and the reaction mixture was heated at 80° C. At the end of the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into 15 mL of ethyl acetate, and the organic phase was extracted with 1N sodium hydroxide solution and then dried with magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off in a rotary evaporator, and the residue was purified on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate.

The product thus obtained was dissolved in 2 mL of ethanol and to it was added 1 mL of a 2.9 molar solution of ethanolic hydrochloric acid or of 4-molar hydrochloric acid in dioxane. The reaction mixture was then heated at 55° C. At the end of the reaction, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with ethanol (or dioxane) and then dried.

1. 5-Amino-2-(3-thienyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 3-bromothiophene Yield: 0.032 g (23% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 190 [M−H]⁺ (100)

2. 5-Amino-2-(3-furyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 3-bromofurane Yield: 0.024 g (30% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 174 [M−H]⁺ (100)

3. 5-Amino-2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 2-bromo-1,3-thiazole Yield: 0.029 g (21% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 193 [M+H]⁺ (100)

4. 5-Amino-2-(2-thienyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 2-bromothiophene Yield: 0.057 g (42% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 190 [M−H]⁺ (100)

5. 5-Amino-2-(4-methyl-3-thienyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 3-bromo-4-methylthiophene Yield: 0.038 g (26% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 204 [M−H]⁺ (100)

6. 5-Amino-2-(2-chloro-3-thienyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 3-bromo-2-chlorothiophene Yield: 0.056 g (35% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 224 [M−H]⁺ (100) ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ=10.3 (s, br, 1H, OH); 7.49 (d, J=5.7, 1H, H5′); 7.29 (d, J=8.1, 1H, H3); 7.10 (d, J=5.7, 1H, H4′); 6.99 (d, J=1.8, 1H, H6); 6.81 (dd, J=1.8, J=8.1, 1H, H4); 4.10 (s, br, 3H, NH₃ ⁺).

CHN Analysis:

(C₁₀H₈NOSCl.0.94 HCl)

% C % H % N % S % Cl Calculated 46.20 3.47 5.39 12.33 26.46 Found 46.20 3.70 5.40 11.80 26.40

7. 5-Amino-2-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 2-bromo-5-chlorothiophene Yield: 0.066 g (58% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 224 [M−H]⁺ (100)

8. 5-Amino-2-(5-acetyl-2-thienyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 2-bromo-5-acetylthiophene Yield: 0.060 g (37% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 256 [M+Na]⁺ (100)

9. 5-Amino-2-(5-formyl-2-furyl)phenol hydrochloride

Bromo derivative used: 2-bromo-5-formylthiophene Yield: 0.050 g (33% of the theoretical) ESI-MS: 202 [M−H]⁺ (100).

Examples 10 to 18 Hair Colorants

Hair colorant solutions of the following composition were prepared:

1.25 mmol of the substance of formula (I) as per Table 1 1.25 mmol of the developer as per Table 1 10.0 g of lauryl ether sulfate (28% aqueous solution) 9.0 g of ammonia (22% aqueous solution) 7.8 g of ethanol 0.3 g of ascorbic acid 0.3 g of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate hydrate to 100.0 g water, demineralized

Just before use, 10 g of the above colorant solution was mixed with 10 g of a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution. The mixture was then applied to bleached hair. After an exposure time of 30 minutes at 40° C., the hair was rinsed with water, washed with a commercial shampoo and dried. Table 1 summarizes the resulting colorations.

TABLE 1 Developer III 4,5-diamino- I II 1-(2′-hydroxyethyl) IV Example Coupler of 2,5-diaminotoluene 2,5-diaminophenylethanol pyrazole 4-amino- No. Formula (I) sulfate sulfate sulfate 3-methylphenol 10 as per violet violet strawberry light Example 1 red pink 11 as per light gray- light bright beige Example 2 violet gray-violet red 12 as per gray gray pink light Example 3 pink 13 as per gray gray pink light Example 4 pink 14 as per light gray- light bright beige Example 5 violet gray-violet red 15 as per dark dark strawberry light Example 6 violet violet red pink 16 as per dark dark pink light Example 7 gray gray pink 17 as per green green pink yellow Example 8 18 as per ash- ash- bright beige Example 9 blond blond red

Examples 19 to 24 Hair Colorants

Hair colorant solutions of the following composition were prepared:

X g of 3-aminophenol derivative of formula (I) (coupler K1 as per Table 4) U g of developer E8 to E15 as per Table 2 Y g of coupler K11 to K36 as per Table 4 10.0 g of lauryl ether sulfate (28% aqueous solution) 9.0 g of ammonia (22% aqueous solution) 7.8 g of ethanol 0.3 g of ascorbic acid 0.3 g of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate hydrate to 100.0 g water, demineralized

Just before use, 30 g of the above colorant solution was mixed with 30 g of a 6% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The mixture was then applied to bleached hair. After an exposure time of 30 minutes at 40° C., the hair was rinsed with water, washed with a commercial shampoo and dried. Table 5 summarizes the resulting colorations.

TABLE 2 Developers E8 1,4-diaminobenzene E9 2,5-diaminophenylethanol sulfate E10 3-methyl-4-aminophenol E11 4-amino-2-aminomethylphenol dihydrochloride E13 N,N-bis-(2′-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine sulfate E14 4,5-diamino-1-(2′-hydroxyethyl)pyrazole sulfate E15 2,5-diaminotoluene sulfate

TABLE 3 Direct Dyes D2 6-chloro-2-ethylamino-4-nitrophenol D3 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol

TABLE 4 Couplers K1 5-amino-2-(2-chloro-3-thienyl)phenol K12 2-amino-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl)aminoanisole sulfate K13 1,3-diamino-4-(2′-hydroxyethoxy)benzene sulfate K14 2,4-diamino-5-fluorotoluene sulfate K18 N-(3-dimethylamino)phenylurea K19 1,3-bis-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane tetrahydrochloride K21 3-aminophenol K22 5-amino-2-methylphenol K23 3-amino-2-chloro-6-methylphenol K24 5-amino-4-fluoro-2-methylphenol sulfate K25 1-naphthol K31 1,3-dihydroxybenzene K32 2-methyl-1,3-dihydroxybenzene K33 1-chloro-2,4-dihydroxybenzene K34 4-(2′-hydroxyethyl)amino-1,2-methylenedioxybenzene.HCl K36 2-amino-5-methylphenol

Examples 25 to 30 Hair Colorants

Hair colorant solutions of the following composition were prepared:

X g of 3-aminophenol derivative of formula (I) (coupler K1 as per Table 4) U g of developer E8 to E15 as per Table 2 Y g of coupler K11 to K36 as per Table 4 Z g of direct dye D2 and D3 as per Table 3 10.0 g of lauryl ether sulfate (28% aqueous solution) 9.0 g of ammonia (22% aqueous solution) 7.8 g of ethanol 0.3 g of ascorbic acid 0.3 g of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate hydrate to 100.0 g water, demineralized

Just before use, 30 g of the above colorant cream was mixed with 30 g of a 6% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The mixture was then applied to hair. After an exposure time of 30 minutes at 40° C., the hair was rinsed with water, washed with a commercial shampoo and dried. Table 6 summarizes the resulting colorations.

TABLE 5 Hair Colorants Example No. 19 20 21 22 23 24 Dyes (Dye quantity in grams) K1 0.10 0.12 0.05 0.07 0.10 0.12 E8 0.30 E9 0.25 0.20 E10 0.10 E15 0.25 0.30 0.25 K12 0.05 K13 0.05 K31 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.10 K32 0.20 0.10 K33 0.20 K36 0.10 K21 0.05 K22 0.05 K23 0.05 0.10 0.10 0.10 K25 0.10 Coloring result blond blond blond blond blond blond

TABLE 6 Hair Colorants Example No. 25 26 27 28 29 30 Dyes (Dye quantity in grams) K1 0.60 1.30 1.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 E8 1.50 E11 0.10 E13 1.60 0.70 E14 0.10 0.10 E15 1.80 0.70 0.70 K12 0.50 K14 0.10 K18 0.05 K19 0.10 K23 0.05 0.10 0.10 0.10 K24 0.15 K31 0.90 1.10 1.10 0.40 0.40 0.40 K34 0.10 D2 0.10 0.10 0.10 D3 0.05 0.05 0.05 Coloring result black black black brown brown brown

Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages given in the present patent application are by weight. 

1. An agent for coloring keratin fibers based on a developer-coupler combination, said agent containing, as the coupler, at least one 3-aminophenol derivative of formula (I), or a physiologically compatible, water-soluble salt thereof:

wherein R denotes an aromatic, heterocyclic 5-membered ring of formula (Ia):

wherein X1, X1, X3, and X4, independently of each other, denote sulfur, nitrogen, N—R1, oxygen, C—R2, C—R3, C—R4, or C—R5, provided that at least one and at the most three of the X1 to X4 groups denote nitrogen, N—R1, sulfur, or oxygen and, if there are at least two heteroatoms in formula (Ia), at the most one of the X1 to X4 groups denotes sulfur, N—R1, or oxygen; R1 denotes hydrogen, a (C₁–C₆)-alkyl group, a phenyl group, a (C₂–C₄)-hydroxy-alkyl group, or an acetyl group; R2, R3, R4, and R5, independently of each other, denote hydrogen, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a (C₁–C₆)-alkyl group, a (C₁–C₄) -alkoxy group, a (C₁–C₄)-alkyl thioether group, a mercapto group, a nitro group, an amino group, a (C₁–C₄)-alkylamino group, a di(C₁–C₄)-alkylamino group, a hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkylamino group, a di[hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkyl] amino group, a [di-hydroxy-(C₃–C₄)-alkyl]amino group, a trifluoromethyl group, a —C(O)CH₃ group, a C(O)CF₃ group, a —C(O)H group, a —Si(CH₃) group, a (C₁–C₄)-hydroxyalkyl group, or a (C₂–C₄)-dihydroxyalkyl group.
 2. The agent as defined In claim 1, wherein said at least one 3-amino-phenol derivative is selected from the group consisting of 5-amino-2-(3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-furyl)phenol, 5-amino-2-(pyrrol-3-yl)phenol, 5-amino-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(pyrrol-2-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-chloro-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-methyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-nitro-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-amino-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-acetyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-formyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-chloro-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-methyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-(4-nitro-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-amino-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-acetyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-formyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-chloro-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-methyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-nitro-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-acetyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-amino-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-formyl-3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-formyl-3-furyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-chloro-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-methyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-nitro-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-amino-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-acetyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3-formyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5amino-2-(4-chloro-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-methyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-nitro-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-amino-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-acetyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(4-formyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-chloro-2thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-nitro-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-amino-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-acetyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-formyl-2-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-formyl-2-furyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-nitro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(5-amino-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-nitro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-phenol, and 5-amino-2-(5-nitro-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-phenol.
 3. The agent as defined in claim 1, wherein in said at least one 3-amino-phenol derivative of the formula (I) (i) X2 denotes sulfur and X1 X3, and X4 denote C—R2, C—R4, and C—R5 or (ii) X1 denotes sulfur and X2, X3, and X4 denote C—R3, C—R4 and CR5.
 4. The agent as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one 3-amino-phenol derivative is selected from the group consisting of 5-amino-2-(3-thienyl)-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2- chloro-3-thienyl)-phenol, and 5-amino-2-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-phenol.
 5. The agent as defined in claim 1, containing from 0.005 to 20 weight percent of said at least one 3-aminophenol derivative.
 6. The agent as defined in claim 1, wherein the developer is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-diaminobenzene; 1,4-diamino-2-methylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-2, 6-dimethylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-3,5-diethylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-2,5-dimethylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-2,3-dimethylbenzene; 2-chloro-1,4-diamino-benzene; 1,4-diamino-2-(thiophen-2-yl)benzene; 1,4-diamino-2-(thiophen-3-yl)-benzene; 1,4-diamino-2-(pyridin-3-yl)-benzene; 2,5-diaminobiphenyl; 1,4-diamino-2-methoxymethylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-2-aminomethylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-2-hydroxymethylbenzene; 1,4-diamino-2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene; 2-[2-(acetyl-amino)ethoxy]-1,4-diaminobenzene; 4-phenylaminoaniline; 4-dimethylamino-aniline; 4-diethylaminoaniline; 4-dipropylaminoaniline; 4-[ethyl-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]-aniline; 4-[di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-aniline; 4-[di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylaniline; 4-[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-aniline; 4-[(3-hydroxypropyl)-amino]-aniline; 4-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)amino]aniline; 1,4-diamino-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-benzene; 1,4-diamino-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzene; 1,4-diamino-2-(1-methylethyl)-benzene; 1,3-bis-[(4-amino-phenyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-propanol; 1,4-bis-[(4-am inophenyl)amino]-butane; 1,8-bis-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane; 4-aminophenol; 4amino-3-methylphenol; 4-amino-3-(hydroxymethyl)phenol; 4-amino-3-fluorophenol; 4-methylaminophenol; 4-amino-2-(aminomethyl)-phenol; 4-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-phenol; 4-amino-2-fluorophenol; 4-amino-2-[(2-hydroxyethyl(amino]-methylphenol; 4-amino-2-methylphenol; 4-amino-2-(methoxymethyl)-phenol; 4-amino-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-phenol; 5-aminosalicylic acid; 2,5-diaminopyridine; 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine; 2,5,6-triamino-4-(1H)-pyrimidone; 4,5-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-pyrazole; 4,5-diamino-1-(1-methylethyl)-1H-pyrazole; 4,5-diamino-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1H-pyrazole; 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazole; 4,5-diamino-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole; 2-aminophenol; 2-amino-6-methylphenol; 2-amino-5-methylphenol; and 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene.
 7. The agent as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional coupler besides said at least one 3-amino-phenol derivative, and wherein said at least one additional coupler is selected from the group consisting of N-(3-dimethylaminophenyl)urea, 2,6-diaminopyridine, 2-amino-4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)amino]anisole, 2,4-diamino-1-fluoro-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-methoxy-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-ethoxy-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-methylbenzene, 2,4-di[(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]- 1,5-dimethoxybenzene, 2,3-diamino-6-methoxypyridine, 3-amino-6-methoxy-2-(methylamino)-pyridine, 2,6-diamino-3,5-dimethoxypyridine, 3,5-diamino-2,6-dimethoxypyridine, 1,3-diaminobenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)-benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)-benzene, 2,4-diamino-1,5-di(2-hydroxyethoxy)-benzene, 1-(2-aminoethoxy)-2,4-diaminobenzene, 2-amino-1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-4-methylaminobenzene, 2,4-diaminophenoxyacetic acid, 3-[di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline, 4-amino-2-di[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1-ethoxybenzene, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)phenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-aniline, 3-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]-aniline, 1,3-di-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)-propane, di(2,4-diaminophenoxy)-methane, 1,3-diamino-2,4-dimethoxybenzene, 2,6-bis-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-toluene, 4-hydroxyindole, 3-dimethylaminophenol, 3-diethylaminophenol, 5-amino-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-fluoro-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-ethoxy-2-methylphenol, 3-amino-2,4-dichlorophenol, 5-amino-2,4-dichloro-phenol, 3-amino-2-methylphenol, 3-amino-2-chloro-6-methylphenol, 3-amino-phenol, 2-[(3-hydroxyphenyl)amino]-acetamide, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-phenol, 3-[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-phenol, 5-amino-2-ethylphenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol, 2-(4-amino-2-hydroxyphenoxy)-ethanol, 5-[(3-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylpyridine, 5-amino-4-chloro-2-methylphenol, 1-naphthol, 2-methyl-1-naphthol, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2-methyl-1-naphthol acetate, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene, 1-chloro-2,4-dihydroxy-benzene, 2-chloro-1,3-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2-dichloro-3,5-dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzene, 1,5-dichloro-2,4-dihydroxybenzene, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol, 3,4-methylenedioxyaniline, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1,3-benzodioxole, 6-bromo-1-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene 3,4-diamino-benzoic acid, 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazine, 6-amino-3,4-dihydro-1,4(2H)benzoxazine, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone, 5,6-dihydroxyindole, 5,6-dihydroxyindoline, 5-hydroxyindole, 6-hydroxyindole, 7-hydroxyindole, and 2,3-indolinedione.
 8. The agent as defined in claim 1, containing from 0.005 to 20 weight percent of the coupler and from 0.005 to 20 weight percent of the developer, based on a total amount of the agent.
 9. The agents as defined In claim 1, further comprising at least one direct dye compound.
 10. The agent as defined in claim 1, having a pH of from 6.5 to 11.5.
 11. The agent as defined in claim 1, consisting of a hair colorant.
 12. A ready-to-apply agent for oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, which, in a medium appropriate for dyeing, contains at least one developer, at least one coupler, and at least one oxidant, wherein said at least one coupler comprises at least one 3-aminophenol derivative of formula (I), or a physiologically compatible, water-soluble salt thereof:

wherein R denotes an aromatic, heterocyclic 5-membered ring of formula (Ia):

wherein X1, X2, X3, and X4, independently of each other, denote sulfur, nitrogen, N—R1, oxygen, C—R2, C—R3, C—R4, or C—R5, provided that at least one and at the most three of the X1 to X4 groups denote nitrogen, N—R1, sulfur, or oxygen and, if there are at least two heteroatoms in formula (Ia), at the most one of the X1 to X4 groups denotes sulfur, N—R1, or oxygen; R1denotes hydrogen, a (C₁–C₆)-alkyl group, a phenyl group, a (C₂–C₄-hydroxy-alkyl group, or an acetyl group; R2, R3, R4, and R5, independently of each other, denote hydrogen, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a (C₁–C₆)-alkyl group, a (C₁–C₄)-alkoxy group, a (C₁–C₄)-alkyl thioether group, a mercapto group, a nitro group, an amino group, a (C₁–C₄)-alkylamino group, a di(C₁–C₄)-alkylamino group, a hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkylamino group, a di[hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkyl]amino group, a [di-hydroxy-(C₂–C₄)-alkyl]amino group, a trifluoromethyl group, a —C(O)CH₃ group, a C(O)CF₃ group, a —C(O)H group, a —S(O H₃) group, a (C₁–C₄)-hydroxyalkyl group, or a (C₂–C₄)-dihydroxyalkyl group. 